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Charles E Jacobs Foundation

Annual Giving
$1.2M
Grant Range
$0K - $0.7M

Charles E Jacobs Foundation

Quick Stats

  • EIN: 75-2859040
  • Annual Giving: $1,184,500 (2023)
  • Total Assets: $16,490,668 (2024)
  • Grant Range: $250 - $732,500
  • Number of Grants: 27 awards in 2023, 23 in 2022
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily Texas, especially Albany and surrounding areas
  • Application Process: No public application process - private family foundation

Contact Details

Mailing Address: PO Box 2770, Albany, TX 76430-8037

Phone: 347-762-3917

Note: This foundation does not have a publicly available website or email address.

Overview

The Charles E Jacobs Foundation was established in October 1999 and received tax-exempt status in March 2000. Named for Charles Edwin "Chuck" Jacobs (1922-2015), a successful oilman and community leader in Albany, Texas, the foundation continues his legacy of supporting local community projects. With assets of approximately $16.5 million and annual charitable disbursements exceeding $1.1 million, the foundation operates as a private independent foundation under IRS classification. The foundation consistently dedicates over 99% of its expenses to charitable purposes, focusing on education, health care, and community development initiatives primarily in Texas. Glenn Picquet, who joined forces with C.E. Jacobs in 1975 and managed their joint portfolio from 1986 onwards, now serves as President of the foundation alongside Secretary Marcia Carol Brewer Jacobs and VP/Treasurer Dan Neff.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate formal grant programs with specific names or fixed application cycles. Instead, grants are awarded at the discretion of the board of trustees based on their knowledge of community needs and organizational relationships.

Grant Size Range: Awards have ranged from $250 to $732,500, with 27 grants totaling $1,184,500 distributed in 2023.

Priority Areas

Based on IRS classifications and the founder's known philanthropic interests, the foundation supports:

  • Education: Schools, colleges, and educational programs (Chuck Jacobs served on the Board of Directors of McMurry College and was a benefactor of Albany schools)
  • Health Care: Medical facilities and health-related initiatives
  • Community Development: Local Albany projects and institutions
  • Arts & Culture: Including support for The Old Jail Art Center in Albany
  • Faith-Based Organizations: Churches and religious institutions (Chuck Jacobs was a longtime member of First United Methodist Church and Matthews Memorial Presbyterian Church in Albany)
  • Recreation & Community Activities: Including Fort Griffin Fandangle and Albany Golf Club

Geographic Focus

While the foundation can make grants throughout Texas and potentially beyond, there is a strong emphasis on Albany (Shackelford County) and the surrounding West Texas region, reflecting the founder's deep community ties.

What They Don't Fund

As a private family foundation without published guidelines, specific exclusions are not documented. However, the foundation's grant-making appears focused on established institutions and community projects rather than individual assistance or national initiatives.

Governance and Leadership

Key Personnel

Glenn A. Picquet - President

  • Joined forces with C.E. Jacobs in Albany in 1975
  • Managed their joint portfolio of assets from 1986 onwards
  • Holds B.S. degree in Natural Gas Engineering from Texas A&I University (1972)
  • Part of consortium that purchased the Texas Rangers Major League Baseball club in 2010
  • Serves as Vice-Chair at The Old Jail Art Center in Albany
  • Director at FNB Albany/Breckenridge
  • Active in numerous civic and professional organizations in the Albany area

Marcia Carol Brewer Jacobs - Secretary

  • Widow of founder Charles E. Jacobs
  • Continues support of causes important to her late husband
  • Supported exhibitions at The Old Jail Art Center in memory of Chuck Jacobs

Dan Neff - Vice President/Treasurer

  • Based in Albany, Texas area
  • Business connections with Glenn Picquet

Foundation Philosophy

The foundation operates quietly, consistent with Chuck Jacobs' approach described in his obituary: "working quietly behind the scenes with others to keep Albany special." No officer compensation is reported, indicating a volunteer-led operation focused on maximizing charitable impact.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Charles E Jacobs Foundation does not have a public application process. As a private family foundation, grants are awarded at the discretion of the board of trustees. The foundation does not accept unsolicited grant proposals and does not maintain a website or public grant application portal.

Grants appear to be made to organizations and causes already known to the trustees, often based on:

  • Long-standing relationships with the founder or current board members
  • Organizations serving the Albany, Texas community
  • Institutions where trustees have direct involvement
  • Causes aligned with Chuck Jacobs' lifetime philanthropic interests

Getting on Their Radar

Given the foundation's private nature and deep roots in Albany, Texas, organizations seeking funding should understand this is a relationship-driven funder with strong local ties. The foundation trustees have extensive connections in Albany and West Texas through:

  • The Old Jail Art Center: Glenn Picquet serves as Vice-Chair; the foundation has historically supported this institution
  • Albany civic organizations: Trustees are active in local community groups
  • West Texas business community: Through FNB Albany/Breckenridge and local business networks
  • Faith communities: Historic support for First United Methodist Church and Matthews Memorial Presbyterian Church in Albany
  • Educational institutions: Connections to McMurry College (now McMurry University) in Abilene and Albany schools

Organizations with genuine connections to these networks and serving the Albany community may naturally come to the trustees' attention through their community involvement.

Decision Timeline

As the foundation operates without a formal application process or published grant cycles, there is no standard decision timeline. Grants are likely approved by trustees on a rolling basis as opportunities and needs are identified.

Success Rates

Not applicable - no public application process exists.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - no public application process exists.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation does not accept applications, traditional "success factors" do not apply. However, understanding the foundation's values and priorities can be valuable for organizations that may come into contact with trustees:

  • Community Impact in Albany/West Texas: The foundation's roots are deeply embedded in Albany. Projects that demonstrably benefit this community align with the founder's legacy.

  • Established Institutions: Grant recipients appear to be established organizations with track records rather than new initiatives. The foundation supports institutions like schools, churches, hospitals, and cultural centers.

  • Conservative Values: Chuck Jacobs was remembered as having "conservative values" - the foundation likely continues to support organizations that align with traditional community values.

  • Long-term Relationships: The foundation appears to support organizations where trustees have personal knowledge and connection, often over many years.

  • Multiple Benefit Areas: Organizations serving education, health, community development, or faith-based missions align with documented funding priorities.

  • Efficient Operations: With the foundation itself operating without staff compensation and dedicating 99%+ of expenses to grants, trustees likely value organizations demonstrating similar fiscal responsibility.

  • Alignment with Founder's Interests: Projects related to arts and culture (like The Old Jail Art Center), education (schools and universities), faith communities, and recreational activities (golf, community events like Fort Griffin Fandangle) reflect Chuck Jacobs' documented interests.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Private family foundation with no public application process - unsolicited proposals are not accepted and will not be reviewed

  • Relationship-driven grant-making - trustees make grants to organizations they know personally, primarily in the Albany, Texas area

  • Substantial local impact - despite being a private foundation, they distributed over $1.1 million in 2023, representing significant resources for a small West Texas community

  • Legacy-focused - grant decisions honor Chuck Jacobs' lifetime of quiet community support in Albany

  • Long-term community relationships matter - trustees have deep, decades-long connections to Albany institutions and are active in civic leadership

  • Geographic concentration - while legally able to grant anywhere, the foundation's heart is in Albany and immediate West Texas region

  • No staff or formal infrastructure - foundation is managed by volunteer trustees with other primary business activities, suggesting an informal, relationship-based approach to grant-making

References

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